The dispute is over a new fleet of trains due to come into service during 2020. Merseyrail says guards will not be needed on the driver-only operated trains because of the way they are operated, but the union argues that guards are essential for public safety.

From today, RMT members will not work any rest days, in addition to the full strike on March 13.

In the ballot last week, 81.8% of RMT members on Merseyrail voted for strike action with 93.5% backing action short of a strike.

The same issue has paralysed services on Southern Rail over the past few months.

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RMT General secretary Mick Cash said: “Our campaign of industrial action kicks off today as our members send the clearest possible message to Merseyrail that RMT is prepared to stand up and fight for public safety and the guard guarantee.

“The union’s position on Driver Only Operation is perfectly clear. We will not agree to any introduction of DOO and will fight to retain the safety critical role of the guard and to keep a guard on the train.

“It is the failure of Merseyrail to give guarantees on those basic principles that has led to the current dispute and the campaign of industrial action.”

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Managing director Jan Chaudhry-van der Velde said: “The RMT may be intent on blocking even modest modernisation plans such as Driver Controlled Operation (DCO), but as a railwayman of 28 years, I’m certainly not happy to let this happen.

“I would urge the RMT to return to the negotiating table to constructively discuss how we can best re-deploy my existing, experienced and hard-working team of guards during 2020 when the new trains arrive.”